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Financial aid eligibility is regulated by federal and state laws. These laws require that you complete the FAFSA application so the Department of Education may use the Federal Methodology and data to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on the information you have provided. The Federal Methodology takes into account such factors as income, assets, family size, and number in college. Most financial aid is based on need.

SFCC Financial Aid will send you an email or a letter stating the documents needed to complete your financial aid.

*Documentation must be completed, signed, and returned to our office before the priority deadline dates so we can proceed with file review.


If you are eligible for grant funding, determined by your FAFSA results, your award will be automatically applied to your tuition upon completion of all your required documents. Depending on your eligibility, you may receive a letter explaining your aid or loans. 

*Scholarship and/or agency funding may impact the supplemental aid you are eligible to receive.


If you wish to obtain a student loan, you must complete the loan application process which includes steps for entrance counseling, Tutorial and Master Promissory Note before we can certify your loan. 

How is Financial Need Calculated?

Most grants and loans are awarded based on financial need. Financial need is a calculation that uses your cost specific cost of attendance (estimate your cost of attendance with the net price calculator tool) less the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The result is what we refer to as your financial need.
 

Cost of Attendance
- Expected Family Contribution
= Financial Need

*Students cannot receive aid in excess of the cost of attendance.


Once you complete your FAFSA application, your financial need number will help determine whether you qualify for certain types of need-based aid.

What is the Expected Family Contrabution?

The Department of Education, which administers all federal aid, expects students and your families to cover a portion of your educational costs depending on your ability to pay. This is why your FAFSA application requires tax information to determine your income and family status.

For more information on paying your share, visit BigFuture.CollegeBoard.org.

To calculate your EFC, use the College Board's EFC Calculator.

Create a Financial Aid Budget

Creating a financial aid budget is really important, especially when calculating how much to borrow